“ He's not just a striker - he provided two assists - I'm very happy for him. He has things to improve but he's working in the correct way."
Manuel Pellegrini 29 October 2015
After an outstanding display by youngster Iheanacho Kelechi, Manuel was being deliberately down beat. Kelechi had shown 90 minutes of guile and composure, not just youthful exuberance, it was a fabulous display.
This was not the only highlight. Fernando was outstanding, and worthy of man of the match, had he not been upstaged by the youngster. We also saw more of future hopefuls Patrick Roberts and Garcia Alonso, the latter scoring the fifth goal in extra time, both showing the talent available within the EDS squad.
There were six changes to the team which started against United on Sunday. The depth of talent at City has often been questioned against the investment, but this performance went a long way to answering those critics, as this "second" team swept away a strong Palace line up.
After an initial 20 minutes, where Palace kept their shape and created chances of their own, the goals came thick and fast. Bony rose to open the scoring from a DeBruyne corner on 22'. Iheanacho then provided the pass for DeBruyne on 44' who scored from close range. Two nil at half time.
The second half opened just as brightly for City and Bony could have had another two goals before DeBruyne repaid the favour to Iheanacho and provided the cross on 59' for Iheanacho to himself get on the score sheet, following a feint by Bony. Three nil and City were in command. On 76' Palace hit self destruct, when from a corner Mangala was clearly held and brought down for a penalty, immediately following a warning from the referee to Palace players about holding in the box; Yaya duly dispatched the penalty, four nil. Delaney then pulled one back for the visitors on 89', which perhaps Cabellero could have held, but it counted for little as Garcia rounded off a flawless evening for the youngsters by latching onto Iheanacho's cross field pass to slam past the Palace keeper in injury time.
So City are now installed as favourites for the League Cup. As on the same night in deepest Trafford, United lost on penalties to Middlesboro, and on the previous evening, Arsenal lost three nil to Championship side Sheff Wednesday, and Chelsea went out on penalties to Stoke.
City's quarter final will be against Hull at home on December 1st, and if last night was anything to go by fans should look forward to a positive result.
@l0ngwayfr0mh0me
